Cycling in Bristol

Bristol has been crowned the UK's first Cycling City, acknowledging the city's growing status as one of Europe's most bike-friendly destinations.

Bristol is the hub of Britain's national cycle routes and home to Sustrans - Britain's leading sustainable transport charity. It's no wonder then that Bristol has cycle routes on almost all its major roads, and there are plenty of places to lock up your bike too, making cycling a great way to explore the city.

Sightseeing by bike

If you're keen to try and organised tour, take a look at the Adventurous Activity Company, who run organised tours of the city for groups with bike hire included. You can make it as challenging or as easy going as you choose.   

Also running daily from the Harbourside are Go Cycle Tours, where you can take your pick of the vintage bicycles on offer before setting off on this laid-back and relaxed introduction to cycling in Bristol.    

Looking for something with a little more adrenalin? The Avon Timberland cycling trail starting as Ashton Court is a great option for mountain bikers of all abilities where you can go wild, without damaging environmentally sensitive areas.

If you're cycling in and around Bristol, be sure to visit the Mud Dock Café Bar on the harbourside - a unique cycling-themed cafe that's a haven for cyclists. Here you can take advantage of a handy repair service, take a shower after a long bike ride or treat yourself to a cup of coffee or cold beer.

Route planning

For detailed maps of cycling routes in and around Bristol go to the Sustrans website and you can also look at Better by Bike, the comprehensive cycling website for Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.